Flow indicator



J. LIEN FLOW INDICATOR June 9, 1942.

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M6 H j //Z 6 /0 /07 f m5 A20 7.4 "HHHEEEE FLOW INDICATOR Filed Jan. 29,1941 Sheets-Sheet 3 grime/WM Jonas Lien Patented June 9, 1942 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE FLOW INDICATOR Jonas Lien, Port Washington, N. Y.

Application January 29, 1941, Serial No. 376,555

Claims. (Cl. 200-52) This invention relates to a flow controlled switch.

An object of this invention is to provide a switch and a flow controlledoperator therefor which is so constructed that it will not impede themovement of material and will be self-cleaning so that the operator maybe projected into a duct through which fibrous or like material ismoving without causing a clogging of the duct.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch and operatortherefor wherein the operator is constructed in the form of asubstantially fiat blade which is pivoted at one end with thelongitudinal axis of the blade disposed on an obtuse angle to thelongitudinal pivot axis so that the leading edge of the blade will becontinually cleaned.

A further object of this invention is to provide a switch and operatortherefor including an indicating means for indicating the volume offluid or other material moving past the switch.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a switch orindicator of this kind with an improved operator therefor so that theswitch may be used to control or regulate the now of fluid or othermaterial, or may be used to indicate or regulate the amount of materialplaced in a bin or other place of storage.

A further object of this invention is to provide a flow indicating meanswhich is so constructed that it may be readily adjusted for differentkinds of fluids such as liquids or gases, or may be adjusted forgranular, powdered or fibrous material.

A further object of this invention is to provide a flow indicatingstructure of this kind which may be used in various types of conveyingducts and may be disposed in a horizontal, vertical or angularlydisposed duct.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in combination, aflow operated device which may indicate on a portion thereof the volumeof material moving through a duct, and may also actuate one or moreswitches for making and breaking electric circuits to a remote visibleor audible signal and the conveyor operator.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, theinvention consists of the novel construction, combination andarrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to andillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown embodimentsof the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variationsand modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coal weighing anddelivering means having a flow indicator constructed according to anembodiment of this invention secured thereto.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

cleaning shaft operaton.

Figure 6 is a vertical section partly broken away of another form ofswitch structure and bearing used with the blade shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1-7 of Figure6.

Figure 8 is a detail front elevation of another form of this invention.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line I 0-I 0 ofFigure 9.

Referring to the drawings and first to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, thenumeral [5 designates the hopper bottom portion of a bunker or storagebin from which coal or other material is adapted to be withdrawn bygravity through discharge valve I6 to weighing mechanism IT. Theweighing mechanism includes a hopper 2| extending downwardly therefromfor discharging the coal or other material into a chute 22. The chute 22may be connected to a pulverizing mill or to a stoker mechanism fordelivering coal to a furnace or boiler. On hopper l5 may be adapted anelectrically operated agitating, vibrating or feeding mechanism l8 whichis connected by conductors l9 and 20 to a source of electric currentsupply.

In order to provide a means whereby the operator of the structure shownin Figure 1 may be warned about or be able to determine when the hopper2| is empty and in order to provide a means whereby the vibratormechanism 18 may be made active when the hopper 2| is empty, I haveprovided a flow operated circuit closing mechanism which includes ahousing 23 adapted to be secured by fastening devices 24 to the outerside of the hopper 2|. The housing 23 includes a rear wall 25 throughwhich the fastening devices engage, a bottom Wall 26, top Wall 21 andvertical side walls 28, and a closure 29 provided with marginal flanges36 is hinged as at 3| to the housing 23.

A cylindrical bearing housing 32 is disposed within the housing 23 andhas formed therewith diametrically opposed arms 33 which are adapted tobe secured as by fastening devices 34 to the inner side of the rear wall25. The cylindrical bearing housing 32 is formed with a front wall 35having an axial opening 36 through which a rotatable shaft 31 is adaptedto engage. The shaft 31 has secured to the periphery thereof inneranti-friction bearing races 38, and outer bearing races 39 are disposedin the interior of the cylindrical bearing housing 32. Anti-frictionballs 40 are interposed between the two race members 38 and 39. Innerand outer spacer rings 38 and 39 respectively, are inserted between thebearing races. 32 at its inner or rear end has secured thereto or formedintegral therewith an annular plate or head 4| which is formed with abevelled mar-1 ginal edge 42. The rear wall 25 is provided with anopening 43 in which the plate or head 4| loosely engages. The head 4| atits front side is formed with an annular channel 44 in which a lubricantretaining washer 45 is adapted to engage. Similarly the front wall 35 isformed with an annular channel 35 in which a lubricant retaining washer35 is adapted to engage. The washers 35 and 45 may be formed of felt orthe like and the washers 35 and 45 are adapted toengage tightly aroundshaft portions 49 and 31 respectively. Shaft 31 has groove 31 withbearing retainer 31 which looks the bearings in the housing 32. A shaftrotating blade generally designated as 46 is secured to or formedintegral with the inner end 49 of the shaft 31 and the blade 46 isformed with a leading edge 41 which is disposed at an obtuse angle tothe longitudinal axis of the shaft 31. The trailing edge 48 of the blade46 is of longitudinally arcuate configuration so that the trailing edge48 does not engage too closely adjacent the inner surface of the hopper2| when the blade 46 is in a substantially horizontal position. Theupper or outer end of the blade 46 is formed with an en1argment 49 whichis formed integral with the inner end of the shaft 31. By providing theblade 46 with an obtusely disposed leading edge 41, when the blade 46 isswung to a position with the opposite sides thereof parallel with thedirection of movement of the material past the blade, the materialpassing the leading edge 41 will not wrap about the leading edge, butwill slide downwardly therealong with the movement of the material. Atthe present time, devices available for indicating or regulating theflow of material through a duct or the like have the leading edge oredges of the shaft operator extending at substantially right angles tothe line of movement of the material and where the material is of afibrous character, the long fibers loop about such edges and impede thefunction of the device and thus clog up the duct or conveyor. However,with a shaft operator constructed after the manner of blade 46, thisblade will be maintained in a clean condition by the movement of thematerial past the blade.

When no material is present in hopper 2| the shaft operating blade 46 isspring-pressed to a substantially horizontal position or a position atright angles to the movement of the material through the hopper 2| bymeans of a spiral spring 50. The spring 56 at its inner end is securedby a fastening member to a cylindrical The bearing housing sleeve 52which engages about a reduced shaft portion 53. The reduced shaftportion 53 forms a shoulder 54 against which the sleeve 52 is adapted toengage. The opposite end of the spring 56 is secured by means of aclamping bar 55 and fastening devices 56 to the top wall 21 of thehousing 23. By using the clamping bar 55, the outer end of the spring 56may be adjusted so as to place the blade 46 under the desired tension.In order to provide a means whereby the vibrator I8 may be made active,when the hopper 2| is empty, I have provided a mercury or liquid switch51 which is mounted in a clip structure 58. The clip structure 58 iscarried by a mounting 59 secured by a fastening member 60 to the reducedshaft portion 53. The mounting 59 is adapted to abut against the forwardend of the sleeve 52 and the mounting 59 is also locked against rotationrelative to the shaft 53 by means of a reduced threaded stub shaft 6|. Anut 62 is threaded onto the stub shaft 6| and bears against the frontside of the mounting 59. The position of the mounting. 59 with respectto the shaft 31 and the blade 46 may bemanually adjusted so as to eithercut off from or connect the control means for vibrator mechanism l8 withthe conductors I9 and 26.

The mercury switch 58 hasa pair of conductors 63 and 64 connectedthereto which are connected to a terminal block 65 disposed on the innerside of the bottom wall 26. The conductor 26 which is connected to thevibrator mechanism I8 is connected by means of a conductor 66 to oneside of the terminal block 65 and a second conductor 61 is connected tothe other side of the terminal block 65 and to a source of electriccurrent supply. The conductors 66 and 61 are adapted to be extendedthrough an opening 68 formed in the bottom wall 26.

In Figures 6 and '1, there is disclosed a slightly modified form of thisinvention. A housing generally designated as 69 is adapted to be securedby fastening devices 19 to the outer side of a hopper wall or duct 1|. Acylindrical bearing member 12 is disposed within the housing 69 and isprovided at its inner or rear end with an enlarged head 13 looselyengaging through an opening 14 formed in the hopper or duct 1|. The headorfiange 13 has a bevelled rear end portion 15 which is adapted toproject interiorly of the hopper wall 1|, the taper or bevel 15 beingprovided so that no material will collect on the projecting inner end ofthe head 13. The'bearing member 12 outwardly from the head or flange 13is provided with threads 16 and a nut 11 is threaded onto the threads 16and is adapted to tightly hold the bearing 1| ininwardly projectingrelation with respect to the rear wall 18 of the housing 69. The bearingmember 12 has rotatably mounted therein a'shaft 19 which at its inner orrear end is provided with a flange or head 86.

A shaft operating blade 8| which is constructed similar in every detailto the blade 46, is formed integral with the head or flange 86 andextends at an obtuse angle. to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 19.The head or flange 86 is rotatably disposed in a socket or recess 82formed in the head orplate 13 and a fiber or felt washer 83 isinterposed between the outer end of the head or glsinge 86 and thebottom of the socket or recess The shaft 19 is spring-pressed to aposition whereby the blade 8| will be normally urged to a positionatsubstantially right angles to the length'of the hop er 1| by means of aspiral spring 84. The spring 84 has one end thereof secured as byfastening devices 85 to a reduced stub shaft 86 formed at the forward orfront end of the shaft I9. The stub shaft 86 forms a shoulder 81 againstwhich a cylindrical hub 88 is adapted to engage. The hub 88 is mountedon the stub shaft 86 and the fastening device 85 engages through one endof the spring 84 through the hub or sleeve 88 and also engages againstthe stub shaft 86. The opposite or outer end of the spring 86 i securedto the top wall 89 of the housing 69 by means of a clamping bar 90. Theclamping bar 90 is secured to the top wall 89 by fastening devices 9|which engage through the top wall 89 and are threaded into the bar 90 onopposite sides of the spring 84. By means of the clamping bar 90, thelength of the spring 84 may be adjusted in order to place the shaftoperating blade 8I under the desired tension.

A liquid or mercury switch member 92 is secured to the shaft 98 forrotation or swinging movement therewith and is adapted to be connectedby conductors 93 and 94 to a signalling device, a conveyor controllingor operating means or other suitable electric circuit which is adaptedto be controlled by swinging movement of the blade 8I. The switch member92 is mounted in a clip structure 95 which is formed with a, pair ofplates 96 and 91 disposed about a reduced threaded extension 98 formedaxially of the stub shaft 86. A nut 99 is threaded onto the extension 98and is adapted to tightly hold the plate members 96 and 91 against thesleeve 88.

The shaft I9 is formed axially thereof with a lubricant channel I whichextends outwardly through the stub shaft 86 and the extension 98 andterminates in a lubricating fitting IOI. The channel I00 is formed atits inner or rear end with a laterally extending branch I02 whichcommunicates with the periphery of the shaft I9 adjacent the head orflange 80.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 10, inclusive, the numeral I03 designatesgenerally a housing which is adapted to be secured to the outer side ofa hopper wall or duct I 04. The housing I03 is adapted to be secured tothe hopper wall I04 by fastening devices I05. A cylindrical bearing I06is disposed in the housing I03 and the bearing I06 is provided at itsinner or rear end with an enlarged annular head I0'I engaging through anopening I 08 formed in the hopper wall or duct I04. The bearing I 06 isextended through an opening I09 formed in the rear wall I I0 of thehousing I03 and is secured in the opening I09 by means of a nut III,which is threaded on threads I I2 carried by the inner end of thebearing I06. A shaft H3 is rotatable in the bearing I06 and is providedat its inner or rear end with an annular head II4 rotatably engaging ina socket or recess II5 formed in the bearing head I0'I.

The head I8! is provided with a bevelled inner marginal portion II6which projects inwardly from the inner face or surface of the hopperwall I04. A lubricant retaining washer I I! is interposed between theinner end of the head H4 and the bottom wall of the socket or recess II5. A shaft operating blade II8 which is similar in every detail to theblade 46, is secured to or formed integral with the head H4. The leadingedge of the blade I I8 as heretofore described with respect to theleading edge 41 of the blade 46 is disposed on an obtuse angle to thelongitudinal axis of the shaft I06. The shaft I06 at its inner end isprovided with a reduced stub shaft II9 about which a cylindrical hub orbushing I 20 engages.

The bushing or hub I20 is fixed relative to the stub shaft I I9 by meansof a set screw I2I. The blade II 8 is normally spring-pressed or biasedto a position at right angles to the length of the duct or hopper II4 bymeans of a spiral spring I22. One end of the spring I22 is secured bythe fastening device or set screw I2I to the bushing or sleeve I20 andthe opposite end of the spring I 22 is secured to the top wall I23 ofthe housing I03 by means of a clamping bar I24. The clamping bar I24 istightened against the spring I 22 and the top wall I23 by fasteningdevices I25.

In order to provide a means whereby the blade IIB may becounter-balanced, I have provided a right angularly disposed weightsupporting arm I26 which may be formed integral with the hub or bushingI20. The arm I26 is formed with an elongated slot I21 and asector-shaped weight I28 is secured to one side of the arm I 26 by meansof a fastening device I29. Preferably the weight I28 is provided with aslot I30 in which the arm I26 is adjustably adapted to seat.

In order to provide a means whereby more than one electric circuit maybe opened or closed by rotation or rocking of the shaft II3, I haveprovided a pair of diametrically opposed clips or holders I 3I and I 32.The holder I-3I is adapted to have a liquid switch member I 33 mountedtherein and the clip I 32 is adapted to have a liquid switch I 34mounted therein. The clip members or holders I3I and I32 are securedagainst rotation relative to the shaft II3 by means of a clamping nutI35 which is threaded onto a reduced threaded stub shaft I36.

The front wall or closure I31 of the housing I03 is provided with asubstantially semi-circular opening or slot I38 and a transparent panelI39 is carried by the closure, engaging against the inner face of thefront wall I3l. A pointer I40 is adapted to traverse the length of theslot I38 upon rocking of the shaft H3 and the outer marginal edge of theslot I38 is provided with a plurality of graduations MI by means ofwhich a visible indication will be given as to the volume of materialflowing past the blade II 8. The pointer I40 is secured to a hub I42which is threaded onto the stub shaft I36. The shaft H3 is formedaxially thereof with a lubricating channel I43 terminating at itsforward or outer end in a lubricating fitting I44. The inner end of thelubricating channel I43 terminates in a right angularly disposed channelI45. In order to provide a means whereby the blade II8 may be readilyextended through the wall I04 of the hopper, the wall I 04 is formedwith a slot or narrow passage I46 which communicates with the annularopening I08. In this manner, the circuit making and breaking structuremay be mounted on the outer side of the hopper wall I04 by merelyextending the blade II8 through the opening I08 and the slot I46 andthen fastening the inner or rear wall I00 to the outer side of thehopper wall I04 by the fastening devices I05. The lubricant in thebearing member I06 is sealed therein between the hub I20 and the forwardor outer end of the bearing I06 by means of an annular sealing member M!which is interposed between the inner end of the hub I20 and the outerend of the bearing I06.

In the use and operation of this device, the shaft operating blade 46 isadapted to be disposed within the interior of the hopper or duct and isnormally biased by means of the tensionable spring 50 to a position atsubstantially right angles to the length of the hopper or duct. As thematerial moves through the hopper or duct, the material will cause theblade 46 to swing to a position parallel with the direction of movementof the material against the tension of the spring 50. The switch member51 may if desired be connected to an annunciator or audible signal meansand the switch member 51 is adapted to be disposed in a circuit breakingposition when the blade 46 is positioned lengthwise of the hopper orduct. When the blade 46 moves to a normal position, at right angles tothe length of the hopper or duct, the switch 51 is adapted to close theelectric circuit.

The structure shown in Figures 6 and '7 will operate in the same manneras the structure shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the blade 8| beingmaintained with the leading edge thereof in a clean condition in thesame manner as the leading edge 4'! of the blade 46, is maintained in aclean condition by movement of the material past the blade. This is dueto the obtuse angle of the leading edge of the blade 8! with respect tothe movement of the material.

The structure shown in Figures 8 to 10, inclusive, will operate in asimilar manner to the structure shown in Figures 1 to 7 with theexception that the blade I [8 may be counterbalanced to the desireddegree by adjustment of the weight I 28. With a structure of this kind,the blade I [8 may be made to swing to a position aligning with thedirection of the material past the blade and this material may be eitherground or granular material or may be a fluid such as a liquid or gas.By using two switch members I33 and 134 which are rockable with therocking of the shaft H3 under the action of the blade H8, a pair ofelectric circuits may be closed and broken with the rocking of the shaftH3. Furthermore, by providing the pointer or indicator M0, the pointerof this device may give a Visible indication as to the exact position ofthe blade H8 in the hopper or duct and by providing the graduations [4|on the closure I31, the angular position of the pointer I49 may be usedto determine the approximate velocity of gaseous or liquid materialflowing past the blade.

What I claim is:

1. A flow operated circuit maker and breaker for a material conveyingduct comprising a housing, a cylindrical bearing in said housing, anannular flange at one end of said bearing engaging against the outerface of a wall of said housing, a nut threaded onto said bearing forbinding said flange against said wall, a shaft journalled in saidbearing, an obtusely disposed operating blade fixed to said shaft andpositionable in said duct, a reduced stub shaft extending from theopposite end of said shaft, a sleeve on said stub shaft, a spiral springfixed at one end to said sleeve, clamping means carried by said housingengaging the opposite end of said spring whereby said spring may betensioned to normally maintain said blade at right angles to the lengthof said duct, a threaded extension coaxial with said stub shaft, aswitch holder on said extension, a switch carried by said holder, andmeans adjustably securing said holder on said extension.

2. A flow operated circuit maker and breaker for a material conveyingduct comprising a housing, a cylindrical bearing in said housing, anannular flange at one end of said bearing engaging against the outerface of a wall of said housing, a nut threaded onto said bearing forbinding said flange against said wall, a shaft journalled in saidbearing, an obtusely disposed operating blade fixed to said shaft andpositionable in said duct, a reduced stub shaft extending from theopposite end of said shaft, a sleeve on said stub shaft, a spiral springfixed at one end to said sleeve, clamping means carried by said housingengaging the opposite end of said spring whereby said spring may betensioned to normally maintain said blade at right angles to the lengthof said duct, a threaded extension coaxial with said stub shaft, aswitch holder on said extension, a switch carried by said holder, meansadjustably securing said holder on said extension, said shaft, stubshaft and extension having a lubricant channel therein, and alubricating fitting on said extension communicating with said channel.

3. A flow operated circuit maker and breaker for a material conveyingduct, comprising a housing, means securing said housing on the outerside of said duct, a bearing in said housing extending partly into saidduct, a shaft journalled in said bearing, a blade carried by said shaftwithin said housing, said blade being disposed at an obtuse angle to thelength of said shaft with the opposite sides of said blade parallel withthe longitudinal axis of said shaft, a spring normally urging said bladeto a position at right angles to the flow of material through said duct,and a switch operatively connected with said shaft, said blade being ofsubstantially ovoidal configuration in side elevation, and said bladebeing swingable in the direction of the fiow of material by movement ofthe latter through said duct.

4. A flow operated circuit maker and breaker for a material conveyingduct comprising a housing, means securing said housing on the outer sideof said duct, a bearing in said housing extending partly into said duct,a shaft journalled in said bearing, a blade carried by said shaft withinsaid housing, said blade being disposed at an obtuse angle to the lengthof said shaft with the opposite sides of said blade parallel with thelongitudinal axis of said shaft, a coil spring fixed at one end to saidshaft, means securing the opposite end of said spring to said housing,and a switch operatively connected with said shaft, said blade being ofsubstantially ovoidal configuration in side elevation, and said bladebeing swingable in the direction of the flow of material by movement ofthe latter through said duct.

5. A flow operated circuit maker and breaker for a material conveyingduct, comprising a housing, means securing said housing on the outerside of said duct, a bearing in said housing extending partly into saidduct, a shaft journalled in said bearing, a blade carried by said shaftwithin said housing, said blade being disposed at an obtuse angle to thelength of said shaft with the opposite sides of said blade parallel withthe longitudinal axis of said shaft, a coil spring fixed at one end tosaid shaft, clamping means engaging said housing and the opposite end ofsaid spring whereby the tension of the spring may be adjusted tonormally maintain said blade at right angles to the direction of flow ofmaterial through said duct, and a switch operatively connected with saidshaft, said blade being of substantially ovoidal configuration in sideelevation, and said blade being swingable in the direction of the flowof material by movement of the latter through said duct.

JONAS LIEN.

